The Nigerian Film Festivals Association (NFFA) has said the country will hold a total of 26 recognised film festivals as captured in its newly launched 2024 calendar.
NFFA, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said the 2024 calendar was launched to achieve the objectives of the association and the need for proper organisation in the film industry.
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The statement, which was signed by the association’s publicity secretary, Kate Ezeigbo, explained that the NFFA is an umbrella body that helps in the regulation of all film festivals in Nigeria.
The statement reads in part: “The present administration led by Mr. Uche Agbo has started off the year with the launch of this calendar, as this will enable creatives all around the world to effectively plan to participate in the festivals.
“Film festivals promote networking, cultural exchange and diversity, marketability and distribution of our products, artistic innovation and experimentation, community engagement, and economic impact.
“To achieve all of these, there is a need for a proper organization, and that is one of the essences of the NFFA Calendar.”
Ezeigbo called on all creatives, government parastatals, industries, guilds, investors, sponsors, and individuals to take advantage of the initiative and participate.
She explained that the calendar will commence on February 15, 2024, in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the Inside Nollywood International Film Festival and Award, while the Nollywood Travel Festival is slated for March in Milan.
Other events scheduled on the calendar include the Eko International Film Festival in Lagos in April and the Coal City Film Festival in Enugu in March.
Igbowood Film Festival Art Exhibition and Award, Nollywood Iconic Personalities and Film Festival Award, and Nollywood Film Festival are scheduled for May and June while the Gospel Film Festival is also to be held in June at Ibadan.
The statement further stated that Lagos will host an African Indigenous Language film festival, Imo State will host an international film festival in July, and Kaduna International Film Festival will hold in July.
In September, the Bayelsa International Film Festival would be held in Yenagoa and the Ibadan International Film Festival.
The statement said that in October, the Real Women International Film Festival would be held in Lagos, the Uyo International Theater and Film Festival, and the International Student Film Festival in Port Harcourt.
Rivers State International Film Festival would be held in October, while the Abuja International Film Festival and the Jos Community Film Festival come up in November.
The Lafia documentary film festival and the Kano indigenous language of Africa film market and festival will also be held in November in Kano.
Ezeigbo said the Kaduna film festival will be held in November, the Zuma film festival in December in Abuja, as well as the Warri international film festival and the Village international film festival in Owerri, Imo State.